Livistona saribus

taraw palm

A young two foot tall specimen of taraw palm, Livistona saribus, with a couple small palmate fronds developing amongst several other plants in a garden bed at The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort in Key Largo, Florida

Needles to say, the most striking features of this palm are the large spines found along the petioles:

A close-up of the spines on several petioles of a taraw palm, Livistona saribus

In its native habitat, its fruits are eaten and leaves are used for thatching, though I have to imagine this would only be after supplies of any other suitable palms were used (ouch!).

A close-up of the spines on a single petiole of a taraw palm, Livistona saribus

If you aren't planning on running around your landscape with reckless abandon and find the taraw palm attractive, it prefers moist soil and some degree of shade.